Archive for the ‘Sales’ category

I told you’d I had more final week news and in all this time have I ever not delivered on a promise? Please keep your answers to yourselves.

On Sunday, March 29 — the final day in the seven-year history of River City Books — RCB booksellers are graciously hosting a store-closing reception. Please come, commiserate, celebrate, hearken fond memories, and, of course, if you so choose, buy more great stuff at historically low prices.

Store hours that day are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The reception will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Also, my favorite four words: refreshments will be served.

Note that I am told the word “light” should be inserted so as to make that a five-word disclaimer. In any event, see you there.

Seems like only a few days ago that I was announcing details about River City Books’ month-long going-out-of-business sale. That’s what happens when you want something to last — it goes by just so fast.

Now we’re down to the wire, the final week in the store’s history, and they’re pricing books, CDs, DVDs, gifts, clothing, yada, yada, so low because, well, they want to use as few moving boxes as possible. Which is the silver lining to this cloudy week — a savings rundown that’s otherwise hard to believe.

Between now and the final day, Sunday, March 29, they’ll take:

45 percent off all books

75 percent off all bargain books and other selected titles

75 percent off all clothing and gifts

25 percent off all DVDs and CDs

By the way, I’ll be back in a couple winks to let you know about some D-day details.

There is a game of chicken going on. Maybe it’s craps. Or roulette? I don’t play many games, except for Scrabble and — don’t alert the media — I’m not even very good at that. I’ll I know is that today’s the day when those who didn’t flinch are really happy. That’s because today River City Books moves into the second phase of what I like to call — actually, I just thought of this fourteen seconds ago — Phaseout Grande. Like climbing an inverse mountain, the deals just keep getting steeper (and easier). Here’s the latest rundown: Until Saturday, March 21, regular trade books are 40 percent off; bargain books are 50 percent off; and clothing and gifts are 50 percent off. Of course, CDs and DVDs are also 25 percent off. In other words, everything is on sale and, if I were you, I wouldn’t wait much longer to pull the trigger, show your hand, spin the wheel, or do whatever it is you do.

People with a hankering for cheap stuff are still teeming into River City Books! As my handy photographying clearly shows—for the four people who don’t know, pictured is lifetime Northfield resident and RCB bookseller Beth Vivant—often a sturdy bag is required to hold all of the trade books, bargain books, gifts, clothing, CDs, DVDs and warm memories that are being carrying out the front door. Just to be clear, in case I haven’t yet been, inventory is not being replaced. Get what you want while you still can!

The snow is melt, melt, melting away — hooray! — and it just might be because the deals down at River City Books are that hot. I was in there the other night and was hardly the only one. Like me, people were buying great new hardcovers and paperbacks for 25 percent off; and greeting cards, book holders, mini footballs and the like for 40 percent off. Of course, music and movies are also 25 percent off. Honestly, it’s striking. A person will bring four books and two cards to the register and get them all for like 25 bucks. And you can, too. This weekend is the first full weekend of the end-of-times sale and shoppers smarter than me — shuddup! — are thinking of it this way: by the time the snow returns I’ll have almost all my holiday shopping done already.

Ever since the shocking news broke that River City Books is going out of business (March 29 is D-day, by the way) people have been asking me—and, more importantly, pressing RCB booksellers—about the possibility of going-out-of-business sale. I can now say for certain there will be such a sale and, what’s more, I can provide the fine print.

Here is the schedule of progressively deeper discounts:

Sunday, March 1-Saturday, March 14

35 percent off all books
25 percent off all CDs and DVDs
40 percent off all clothing and gifts

Sunday, March 15-Saturday, March 21

40 percent off all books
50 percent off all bargain books and other selected titles
50 percent off all clothing and gifts

Sunday, March 22-Sunday, March 29

45 percent off all books
75 percent off all bargain books and other selected titles
75 percent off all clothing and gifts

I almost forgot. A few disclaimers: Sorry, but no previously offered discounts or coupons apply after March 1 on any in-stock items. Going-Out-of-Business Sale merchandise is not eligible for additional discounts. Special ordered books are not eligible for sale discounts.

I have been alerted by River City Books manager Jon Lee about some important news for people who like obscenely good deals: All remaining 2009 calendars have been marked down to 75 percent off the regular price; holiday-themed books are 50 percent off; and selected CDs and DVDs are 30 percent off. Just look for the bright red stickers! The disclaimers: in-stock items only and while supplies last.